At Corcovado near the Sirena Field Station, we spotted a a beautiful Barred Woodcreeper (Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae). NOTE:
Note: This species was recently split into two, one in Central America & one in South America. The Costa Rican bird is now known as the "Northern Barred-Woodcreeper" and its scientificic name has been changed to Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae (Summer 2007)

Wouldn't you know, a month or so later, two pair of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (Pheucticus ludovicianus) rested in our backyard in Oxford, Ohio after their long migration from the tropics. I got some amazing photos!

And of course, no visit to Monteverde is complete without spotting a Resplendent Quetzals (Pharomachrus mocinno) or two.
Here is a beautiful male caught in the early morning light at the entrance to the Monteverde Preserve. (Earth Expeditions 06) NOTE: Just "Click" on the IMAGE to view the largest photo

Here are the birds of note we saw in the La Selva Tropical Research Center area from the Earth Expeditions 2006 Costa Rica course. (Earth Expeditions 06) NOTE: Just "Click" on the IMAGE to view the largest photo

One of the most spectacular estuaries in SW Costa Rica can be found along the Sierpe River. Here are a few photos of birds we encountered in the adjacent banana plantations and along the Sierpe River. Amazing!
(TREC 06) NOTE: Just "Click" on the IMAGE to view the largest photo!

In Tortuguero along the NE Costa Rica coast, I hoped to find male and female Northern Jacanas Jacana spinosa) along with their chicks.
I was not disappointed! (Earth Expeditions 05) NOTE: Just "Click" on the IMAGE to view the largest photo

Near Gandoca in extreme SW Costa Rica, we spotted several Northern Jacanas
(Jacana spinosa) in the fields adjacent to the road in a variety of poses. besides having an unusual family life with male/female role reversals,
Jacanas are beautiful birds! (TREC 05) NOTE: Just "Click" on the IMAGE to view the largest photo!

Just outside of Tilearn along the shores of Lake Arenal near Tileran, we also spotted a
beautiful Brown Jay (Psilorhinus morio). Brown Jays are the closest phylogenetic relative of the Magpie Jays. (TREC 05) NOTE: Just "Click" on the IMAGE to view the largest photo!

I really get a kick out of watching MONTEZUMA OROPENDULA males (Psarocolius montezuma) calling from the community nest areas near La Selva. Here is an
outstanding photo of a Montezuma Oropendula male.
WOW! (TREC 05) NOTE: Just "Click" on the IMAGE to view the largest photo!

A flock of Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao) landed in and near an
Almond tree at Drake Bay along the SW coast of Costa Rica near Corcovado National Park. Wow! (TREC 05) NOTE: Just "Click" on the IMAGE to view the largest photo!

At La Sirena in Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica, we spotted a flock of Mealy Parrots (Amazona farinosa) high in
the canopy above us. (TREC 05) NOTE: Just "Click" on the IMAGE to view the largest photo!

An Adult Hummingbird getting ready
to fly--the Green-crowned Brilliant (Heliodoxa jacula). Another Hummer at Rest. Costa
Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present
during certain times of the year.

This summer (2006), I was able to take many photos the one of my favorite birds, the White-tailed Tropic Bird (Phaethon lepturus). I wanted to share with you some of my Tropic Bird Collection. NOTE:
Just "Click" on the Thumbnails for successively larger images--small, medium and huge!

In SE Louisisana on the north shore of Lake Ponchartrain, we visited the Big Branch Preserve in December, 2005. We came across hundreds of American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) and a few Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis).

Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus)are remarkable
birds of prey who have taken to catching fish for a living. Here
is a nesting pair on North Captiva
Island. There nests are often greater than a meter in diameter.
They were unhappy with my presence!